Paris private boat tour with guide to the Seine’s landmarks

For some, the Seine is a bustling highway of tourists, jostling for the same shot with cameras and elbows out. But, on this private boat tour, you’ll escape the crowds and glide along the river at your own pace. Charles, a local expert guide, explains, “there’s so much history to take in as you carve your way through the heart of Paris. But this is your tour, so feel free to ask the captain to linger for longer to ask questions about the landmarks that really float your boat.”

You’ll board the boat at the Paris Waterway, right next to the Louvre, where there’s a close-up view of the symmetrical rows of arched windows that scream of the building’s Renaissance and Baroque style. You might even spot the tip of the glass pyramid poking up for a real contrast of old and new. Circling the river’s islands offers a look at the Gothic masterpiece, Notre-Dame. Your guide will fill you in on the building’s 900-year-plus history and you can see if you can spot the latest post-fire renovations to the stonework and spire.

As well as having the boat to yourselves, you’ll have the personal attention of the crew, so you’ll be hearing all sorts of anecdotes and inside Parisian knowledge about the iconic landmarks that you cruise past. Charles adds, “one of my favourite bridges is the Pont Marie. It’s one of Paris’ oldest bridges and legend has it that if you kiss your true love under Pont Marie you’ll be together forever.” Whether it’s the bridges, the Eiffel Tower or the sheer magic of Paris’ legend-laced riverbanks that captures your heart, it’s a trip that will stay with you.